Rivals.com lists him as the 39th best player in college football, Sporting News picked him as the Big Ten’s “hardest hitter.” Jones is also ESPN.com’s 11th best player in the Big Ten. So obviously lots of football geeks think he’s a great linebacker, but how does he define what makes a linebacker great or not?

“The same thing you would see, a guy who makes plays every time, he’s consistent, he’s burning down the field, he’s everywhere. The guy who never takes a play off and if he does miss a tackler, he’s the guy who’s right there getting a tackle for a loss or a sack on the next play,” Jones responded.

Outstanding run blocker who gets off the ball quickly and is capable of holding up at the point or pulling and getting to the second level. Does a great job locating blitzers, staying home against stunts or helping out when not covered up. Can be tested when asked to mirror quicker pass rushers

4. Buffalo, Andy Dalton, QB, TCU

Jerry Rhome, a former NFL player and coach, has been working with Dalton since the season ended in January. He says he expects Dalton to play in the NFL 12 to 13 years.

5. Arizona, Ras-I Dowling, CB, Virginia

Dowling probably could have come out last year, but stayed in and acquired another year of seasoning. He ran a 4.40 and has good size at 6-1

6. Cleveland Browns, Will Rackley, OL, Lehigh

A dominant force for Lehigh, he looked not like an FCS offensive lineman but a future NFL starter. Rackley made 40 consecutive starts to end his four-year career, the final three at left tackle after starting at right guard as a freshman.

McDaniel lacks the fluidity to cover the entire field. His instincts, reliable open-field tackling and impressive ball skills make him one of the few senior safeties in this draft worthy of top 100 consideration.

It seems every other draft NFL Draft or so, we get a “million dollar arm, ten cent head” prospect. (If I may borrow the line from “Bull Durham.”)

This year, it’s Arkansas and former Michigan Wolverines quarterback Ryan Mallett. Remember the character concerns about Jimmy Clausen last year? Take that amount and square it, no cube it, and the equation equals Mallett’s reputation and draft stock. His coarse, somewhat hostile interaction with the media at the combine drew comparisons to Ryan Leaf, (For more on how he ended up go here) who earned the nickname “baby boy” for his insanely immature public blow-ups.

During the 2010 regular season, Doss led the Big Ten and finished fourth nationally with 175.8 all-purpose yards per game. He closed out the year with 63 receptions, 706 receiving yards, seven touchdowns, 1,016 kick return yards, 163 rushing yards and 49 punt return yards. The Indianapolis native’s 1,641 all-purpose yards rank seventh on IU’s single-season list. Doss also ranks sixth in single-season receptions and he became the sixth player in Big Ten history with 1,000 or more kick return yards in a single season, finishing the year with the fourth-best total in Big Ten history and the top total in Hoosier lore.

The 5-7. 199-pound Hunter had excellent sophomore and senior seasons which sandwiched an injury-marred junior campaign. He had over 1,500 rushing yards in his sophomore season and again during his senior season as well as 33 total touchdowns in those two seasons combined. An ankle injury limited him as a junior, but Hunter bounced back and carried the ball 271 times as a senior. Hunter did have 37 career receptions at Oklahoma State. He’s drawn Brian Westbrook comparisons.

16. Jacksonville, Jordan Todman, RB, UConn

Todman, 5-foot-9, 193 pounds, piled up 1,695 yards rushing as a junior at UConn in 2010, averaging 5.1 yards per carry. In his career he rushed for more than 3,100 yards in three seasons, and caught 42 passes. He has decent 4.45 40 speed and is a tough runner who can also catch the ball. Todman was named Big East Offensive Player of the Year in 2010.

17. Oakland, Nate Irving, LB, NC State

+ Versatile linebacker who can play all the linebacker positions. Vocal leader on the field

– Not really know for his pass rushing ability, relies on his speed to get to the quarterback. Injury concerns,

18. San Diego, Dontay Moch, DE/OLB, Nevada

Absolutely slam-dunked the combine, to make a name for himself

19. NYG, Quan Sturdivant, LB, North Carolina

The overlooked member of the famed, but embattled UNC defense; could be the most NFL ready after Quinn among the stellar Tar Heel defenders

“Shep is a pretty good force inside inside in there,” Gailey said. “He has really taken charge of the defense. He’s making all the calls for us on the defensive side. He’s doing a really good job of finding the football. He can come take on the run and he’s fast enough and aware enough to go cover up some pass situations. I think his instincts may be as good as anybody’s on the football field. He has great instincts. He’s a big, strong guy. I’ve been very impressed.”

22. Kansas City Greg Little, WR, North Carolina

Suspended for the entire 2010 season by the NCAA for maintaining an inappropriate relationship with an agent, NFL teams will be sure to check into Little’s background.

What doesn’t require much checking is Little’s talent.

23. Indianapolis Colts, Virgil Green, TE, Nevada

Did not make a load of explosive plays in college but has a high ceiling here due to his speed and hands. Shows good effort as a blocker and could improve technique but lacks natural size and strength to excel in this area.

The 6-foot-5, 346-pounder has drawn second-round grades from several draft analysts.

Per a source, Ellis interviewed well at the NFL scouting combine and was accountable for past transgressions that got him dismissed from South Carolina (reportedly failed drug tests) before transferring to Hampton and being suspended for one game.

26. Baltimore, Jordan Cameron, TE, USC

His only significant playing time came in 2010, when he caught 16 passes in 12 games. He’s raw, but his athleticism is worth a flier in this round.

Here’s what USC and college football blog Gridiron Goddess had to say about Cameron:

Cameron is ranked 9th and rising for his position heading into the draft. He’s athletic and he had a great showing at the combine. (More on that in a second) The thing about Cameron, well he was a basketball player and he’s had limited playing time for the gridiron Trojans. 16 career catches and a single start do not make a broad base from which to evaluate him. Cameron is an athlete, but he’s barely a football player when compared to other Trojans in the draft. He’s got a lot to learn. That said, let’s talk about his combine showing. He finished second in the 40-yard dash at the tight end position.

At 6-5 and 254lbs, he ran a 4.59 in the 40 compared to the 1st place finisher’s 4.55. His vertical leap was 37.5. This combination is interesting as, despite Cameron’s overall lack of time on the football field for Troy, his #s display an ability to speed the hell down field like a bat out of hell and to get air- an especially useful skill when you’re in the red zone. This is exactly what teams need out of their tight ends. Cameron switched from wide receiver before the 2010 season. His sheer athleticism bodes well and frankly the type of conditioning and NFL style offense USC runs is beneficial in his evaluation. Lack of playing time or not, he has the raw skills and with the right development could make a massive impact on an NFL team.

Has a chance to win a job as a starting middle or strong side linebacker. (Yes, even in Atlanta where there are some pretty good incumbents would be ahead of him) Has great size. Exhibits very good instincts diagnosing against the run and when asked to play in zone coverage.

28. New England Patriots, Casey Matthews, LB, Oregon

You’ve heard of him??!!! Of course, you have. He comes from that ridiculously talented family with four generations of NFL blood, and he was the anchor of that tenacious defense which took the Ducks to within a play of the national title.

Like almost every other player on Pitt, he was arrested in the past year. That is a cause for concern, especially in today’s NFL. Maybe he’d be better off in a smaller NFL market in a sleepy town with less distractions.

The WAC has produced a cornerback in the top 100 picks in four of the past five drafts, believe it or not. The Jets further develop depth by taking House this year. You’ll recall they picked Kyle Wilson, from the WAC’s Boise State last year in the first round.

31. Pittsburgh, Sam Acho, DE/OLB, Texas

Acho won the 2010 William V. Campbell Trophy, formerly known as the Draddy Trophy and commonly referred to as the “Academic Heisman.” He excelled in three sports in high school, tested out of 26 class hours before attending UT, and won multiple Academic All-American awards for his production and academic prowess.

32. Green Bay Packers, Terrell McClain, DT, South Florida

This year’s Jason Pierre-Paul? You knew the comparisons were inevitable.